How To Use Dry Ice In Your YETI Cooler

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide and is colorless, odorless and non-flammable. It is easily produced and most commonly used to preserve food. With its temperature at a steady -109 degrees Fahrenheit, dry ice gives off more than twice the cooling power per pound than regular water ice, which makes it perfect for quickly freezing and keeping items frozen or very cold.

Dry ice is completely safe to be used by itself or in a combination with regular ice, but there are precautionary measures that should be kept in mind. Because of its extreme temperature, it must be handled with protective gloves to prevent getting freezer burn and kept away from children. Ventilation is another very important safety procedure to secure. Because dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, when it melts, it gives off carbon dioxide gas. It is not extremely harmful, but without proper ventilation, it can displace oxygen. Therefore, store dry ice in a well-ventilated areas, and make sure there is proper ventilation within transit.

If you use dry ice in transit, it is important to also to understand how to use dry ice properly with food and beverage preservation. Experts recommend that a 10 pound block of dry ice is used, which is about 10 inch tall per 15 inches in length of for your cooler. This will keep everything fresh, including water ice, for at least 24 to 48 hours. Wrap each block of dry ice you use in several sheets of newspaper before packing. Dry ice can be packed above or below food. Food will preserve longer if the dry ice is packed on top, but most prefer to pack it on the bottom for convenience.

When packing a cooler with dry ice, it is important to minimize air pockets. Less air space in the cooler will keep dry ice frozen longer. Water ice is great to use for filling in these spaces and always recommended to use in combination with dry ice. A combination of water and dry ice is the best solution for any road or camping trip. Unfortunately, very few ice chests and coolers on the market have the durability and ice retention qualities to optimize the correct usage of dry ice in transportation.

YETI Coolers, a premier manufacturer of camping and marine coolers, are among the best insulated coolers legally available on the market. YETI Coolers have a full two inches or more polyurethane insulation in the walls and lid at most sizes. They also sport a freezer-quality seal gasket and one-piece construction that gives them industry-leading ice retention. YETI has designed the optimal ice cooler for any road trip, tailgating party, or backyard barbecue, ensuring the maximum amount of ice retention possible.

The Tundra Series, YETI’s next generation cooler, is made with two inches of insulation in the body and three inches in the lid, with a rotational-molded construction (just like a whitewater kayak) that makes them virtually indestructible. They employ freezer-style gaskets that help extend the refreshing qualities of food and beverages by significantly boosting ice retention. These gaskets insure that the lid is properly secured, keeping the cold air in and the warm air out, allowing the ice do its job. Innovative features include heavy-duty T-Latches and self-stopping hinges that reinforce its overall super-durable design. For those who prefer a smaller cooler, the YETI Roadie Series is also available in 15 quart and 25 quart sizes.

A combination of dry and regular water ice is the best solution for any food and beverage preservation needs. But, before you handle dry ice, it is very important that you understand the necessary safety precautions. When using dry ice to preserve while traveling, a YETI Cooler will provide the best ice retention available on the market. The YETI Coolers Tundra and Roadie Series can handle any and all dry ice and perishable preservation you need for your next trip.